Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) and bone loss are generally physical changes with age in mammals. Our objective was to investigate age changes in bone mineral density (BMD) and OA in cynomolgus macaque (as a human model). Both sexes (19-37 years) were examined on BMDs; disc space narrowing (DSN, score) and osteophytosis (OST, score); and bone biomarkers of intact osteocalcin (OC), bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP), and pyridinoline crosslinks (PYD). Males had higher OA than females as found in rhesus macaques and humans. DSN involvement in females is similar to rhesus and pig-tailed females, but different from that in women, while males had similar pattern to rhesus males and men. OST pattern in macaques differed from that in humans. Cortical BMD (CorBMD) and OST significantly differed between sexes (independent samples t-test). Significant relationship (Pearson’s correlation) were found positively in females between age and BAP, age and body mass index (BMI), BAP and DSN, and OST and BMI; and negatively between CorBMD and DSN, and CorBMD and OC; while in males negatively between age and volumetric BMD (vBMD). Controlling age and body weight, significant relationship was found only between BPand DSN (positive) in females. So, BAP can be a good marker for DSN. However, longitudinal study is strongly recommended. In sum, aged cynomolgus macaques showed naturally occurring OA and association with other variables as found in other macaques.
This work was financially supported by JSPS AS-HOPE Project and the Global Center of Excellence Program.
